On July 14, 2017, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno met with the first batch of scholars for the Careership Program in Development Economics under the Philippine Center for Economic Development (PCED) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). The PCED-DBM Careership Program aims to mold young college graduates into technically proficient government staff with core competencies in economic analysis and public policy.

The program, initiated by Secretary Diokno, intends to capacitate the bureaucracy to improve the delivery of public services. “A more professional and competent technical staff will undoubtedly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of government. Now more than ever, we need evidence-based analysis to ensure that public resources are allocated and spent optimally,” said the Budget chief.

Furthermore, he stressed that the presence of capable civil servants will uphold transparency and accountability in government. “Under the watchful eye of competent personnel, illegal and unethical transactions in the public sector are more difficult to get through,” he added.

As currently designed, the Careership Program starts with a refresher course on economic theory and policy analysis. In fact, the first batch of scholars have already started their refresher course last Monday, July 10. Scholars will then undergo a rigorous training program (of at least 33 units) that will equip them with the tools for economic analysis, local public economics, program evaluation, development policy, among other aspects of government and development work. Upon completion of their Master’s degree in Development Economics, successful scholars will then be given regular appointment at the DBM.

The admission, recruitment, and program details of the PCED-DBM scholarship program can be viewed in this link: http://www.econ.upd.edu.ph/publicaffairs/pceddbm-careership-program/.

For more information on the Department of Budget and Management, visit: www.dbm.gov.ph